Changing Paradigms in Cataract Surgery to optimize refractive Outcomes (Adapted from Ramzan Ali Syed Award Lecture)

Cataract surgery in Pakistan has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past four decades, reflecting global advancements and local adaptations in surgical technique and intraocular lens (IOL) technology. From the early days of intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) with 8-0 sutures to the modern era of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), the journey has been marked by continuous evolution, driven by both technological innovation and the changing expectations of patients. This ‘Ramzan Ali Syed Name Lecture’ traces the trajectory of cataract surgery in Pakistan, highlighting key milestones, current realities, and the promise and pitfalls of premium IOLs in meeting the complex demands of contemporary patients. Until 1980s, cataract surgery in Pakistan was a relatively basic technique of intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), using 8-0 sutures